InfoAnda - Amid doubts, Cubans pursue private sector dreams |

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Billboard singles reviews: Stone Temple Pilots, Macy Gray | 3 April 2010
Red a superb rendering of modern art history | | 3 April 2010
Gunmen kill politician of winning Iraqi bloc | | 5 June 2010

Oracle CEO to take stand in high-profile SAP trial | 9 November 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Amid doubts, Cubans pursue private sector dreams |

Edition: U.S. Article Comments (0) Email Print Reprints Full Focus Editor's choice A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours. Full Article Read WikiLeaks chief said in 2009 group had BofA data 2:31pm EST WikiLeaks plans to release a U.S. bank's documents 29 Nov 2010 Ecuador offers residency to WikiLeaks' Assange 10:52am EST Factbox: Main revelations of WikiLeaks diplomatic cables 5:24am EST Consumer and manufacturing data show improvement 1:25pm EST Discussed 66 Saudi king urged U.S. to attack Iran: WikiLeaks 64 South Korea names security adviser as defense minister 60 U.S., South Korea begin joint military exercises Watched Bejeweled bra exposed in NY Thu, Oct 21 2010 Row over vote orgasm video Fri, Nov 19 2010 World reacts to WikiLeaks release Mon, Nov 29 2010 Amid doubts, Cubans pursue private sector dreams Tweet This Share on LinkedIn Share on Facebook By Jeff Franks HAVANA (Reuters) - For some, it is the pursuit of a dream, for most, a necessity. Whatever the motive, a steady stream of Cubans are taking the government up on its offer to let them work for themselves instead of the state. At... Related News Cuba creditors hopeful as storm season nears end Wed, Nov 24 2010 Fidel Castro says delegated powers as party head Thu, Nov 18 2010 Cuban government pitches hard for proposed reforms Wed, Nov 17 2010 Cuban political prisoner who refused exile is freed Sun, Nov 14 2010 Cuba hopes it's ship ahoy for cruise industry Fri, Nov 12 2010 Analysis & Opinion Ultimate proof of life: Photographing Fidel Castro’s re-appearance Related Topics World » A man sells newspapers on a street in Havana September 24, 2010. Credit: Reuters/Enrique De La Osa By Jeff Franks HAVANA | Tue Nov 30, 2010 2:44pm EST HAVANA (Reuters) - For some, it is the pursuit of a dream, for most, a necessity. Whatever the motive, a steady stream of Cubans are taking the government up on its offer to let them work for themselves instead of the state. At municipal labor offices around the country, Cubans are filing in with plans that include everything from opening small restaurants to renting out rooms as they seek one of 250,000 self-employment licenses to be issued in Cuba's biggest reform in years. About 30,000 of the permits have been handed out, state-run press reported, and another 16,000 are pending in the first few weeks of President Raul Castro's plan to improve the Communist-led island's economy by expanding the private sector and cutting government's role. The licenses are key to Castro's gamble that he can slash 1 million jobs from state payrolls, absorb the unemployed through private businesses and keep Cuba on the socialist straight-and-narrow for years to come. The government, which controls most of the economy and employs 85 percent of Cuba's workforce, has outlined 178 jobs or sectors where self-employment will be permitted. It will retain a heavy dose of control through regulations and stiff taxes of 25 percent to 50 percent of net income. The reform is criticized by some experts as being too limited, but others view it as a reasonable first step toward greater change in one of the world's last Communist countries. Clutching a raft of government forms, license applicants wait in line for an opportunity they say is welcome and, despite worries about their chances for success, worth a try. "I have always wanted to have my own business," said Ismael Hidalgo, who plans to leave his construction job and do what he always wanted to do -- raise animals for sale. "I think the measures they are taking are very good. Let each one live from what they are capable of doing. Let them live from their own sweat," he said, standing outside a dimly lit government office in Central Havana. Maria Caridad Sulton, who will open a small cafeteria, said: "I hope that everything goes better. I think that workers will be able to see the fruit of their labor and a little more." SMALL EXPECTATIONS Like most of the applicants interviewed, Caridad said she does not expect to make a lot of money, only enough to supplement a meager pension. Cubans receive various social benefits, but they earn an average salary equivalent to about $20 a month and insist that they need more to live. "Necessity, necessity and more necessity. If I didn't have the necessity, I wouldn't do this," said Caridad's husband, Pedro Sarracent Belon, a retired weight lifting coach. "This is a plan for surviving." He and others share a concern that taxes and regulation may be too big a burden for the new entrepreneurs, particularly in a country where taxes have been almost nonexistent under the Communist government installed after the 1959 revolution. 1 2 Next World We welcome comments that advance the story directly or with relevant tangential information. We try to block comments that use offensive language, all capital letters or appear to be spam, and we review comments frequently to ensure they meet our standards. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. Comments (0) Be the first to comment on reuters.com. Add yours using the box above. Social Stream (What's this?) © Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters Editorial Editions: Africa Arabic Argentina Brazil Canada China France Germany India Italy Japan Latin America Mexico Russia Spain United Kingdom United States Reuters Contact Us Advertise With Us Help Journalism Handbook Archive Site Index Video Index Reader Feedback Mobile Newsletters RSS Podcasts Widgets Your View Analyst Research Thomson Reuters Copyright Disclaimer Privacy Professional Products Professional Products Support Financial Products About Thomson Reuters Careers Online Products Acquisitions Monthly Buyouts Venture Capital Journal International Financing Review Project Finance International PEhub.com PE Week FindLaw Reuters on Facebook Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests. NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.

Other News on Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Egypt's Islamists say they might withdraw from vote
Euro plunges to two-month low under 1.30 dollars
Medvedev warns West of new arms race
Sanctions squeeze Dubai's trade with Iran
Negotiators get down to details at UN climate talks
Student protests disrupt Italian roads, railways |
Coalition ramps up air war over Afghanistan
Picasso treasure trove surfaces in France
US consumer confidence hits five-month high
Eurozone debt crisis deepens
Sony sells 4.1 million Move systems
Afghan gunman had no criminal background
Ugandan paper says it will keep outing gays |
Iraq delays first census since 1987 over land row |
Swiss slammed as 'black sheep' over expulsion vote
Chile's Collahuasi resumes wage talks with workers |
Amid doubts, Cubans pursue private sector dreams |
Solarz, US lawmaker who broke with Marcos, dies
Warhol's portrait of Dutch queen sold for 400,000 euros
China postpones Norway talks as Nobel tensions rise
China suspends Norway trade talks amid Nobel fury
Lagerfeld undresses Greek gods for Pirelli calendar
France's top HK diplomat fired for stealing wine: sources
Classic Bob Dylan lyrics up for auction in New York
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
GM hiring to push electric effort beyond Volt |
"Winter's Bone" wins best film at Gotham Awards
RIM shares jump on positive view of new OS |
"Winter's Bone," "Kids" come up big at Spirit Awards
U.S. secret documents on N.K. and Kim Jong-il revealed
Lowe's to boost online biz, margins initiatives |
Wall collapses at Pompeii's House of Moralist
Thai group organises rally criticising court verdict
Veteran French rockers Noir Desir split: drummer
Sony sells 4.1 million Move systems |
Finnish vineyards use creativity, not grapes, for wine
UK's Telegraph newspaper says no paywall decision |
Filmmaker Zucker pays tribute to Leslie Nielsen
Winter's Bone, Kids come up big at Spirit Awards |
Michael Douglas eyes Liberace after chemotherapy |
Roger Waters honors war casualties on Wall tour |
US-TECH Summary
Lowe's to boost online biz, margins initiatives
FCC proposes broadcast airwaves for wireless use
Sony sells 4.1 million Move systems
UK's Telegraph newspaper says no paywall decision
Cablegate leaks divide opinion on freedom of information
Google close to buying shopping site Groupon: reports
Indian tech firms link with China to take on Western brands
Chinese micro-blog re-emerges after shutdown
'Sarkozy the American' mulled troops for Iraq: WikiLeaks
INTERPOL issues global arrest request for WikiLeaks' Assange
South Korea plans new drills as China avoids blaming North |
Comcast, Netflix partner feud over 'open Internet'
Sarkozy to run for second term: UMP
Don't hunt down my son, says mother of WikiLeaks founder |
Complacency fuels new AIDS surge in West: UN
Heavy snow hits airports and roads across Europe
China arrests hundreds of hackers, says situation grim |
Wireless firms playing bigger role in Linux
Palestinians have other options if talks fail: Abbas
Branson scoops Murdoch with digital magazine
Russia's Putin warns West over missile defense: report |
Finger length predicts prostate cancer risk: study
China's healthcare plans bump against rural skills gap |
Google in crosshairs of the wary and watchful
Landslides and flooding kill 21 in Venezuela |
New York Times looks to WeightWatchers for Internet tips
Activision cool to mobile, social games
Opposition cries foul at Ivory Coast poll result delay |
Obama and Republicans agree to negotiate on taxes
BofA may be next WikiLeaks target; stock falls
Motorola to split in two in January
Global Weather-Asia-Celsius
Branson launches glossy iPad magazine, 'Project'
U.S. military study gives green light to end gay ban
Motorola to split in two in January
Pakistan dismisses nuclear fears in leaked US cables
E.Timor leader pushes for ASEAN membership
Swiss Timing charged in Delhi Games graft case
Malaysia detains Indonesian terror suspect: report
"Tron: Legacy" may fall short at box office
Hong Kong to hold inquest over Manila bus hijack
Michael Douglas on 'upward curve' from cancer
FCC proposes wireless use of broadcast airwaves |
China's healthcare plans bump against rural skills gap
Complacency fuels new AIDS surge in West: UN
Wireless firms playing bigger role in Linux |
China arrests hundreds of hackers, says situation "grim"
Judge issues rulings in estate's superhero battle
Google close to clinching Groupon deal: reports |
Amy Poehler trades "SNL" skits for single character
US, S.Korea wrap up war games amid N.Korea crisis
CBS revamps low-rated "Early Show," ousts anchors
Branson scoops Murdoch with digital magazine |
China's manufacturing activity picks up in November
iPad has real Xmas rival in Galaxy tablet
Michael Jackson's dad files new wrongful death suit
Activision cool to mobile, social games |
S.Korea Nov exports, PMI ease slowdown concerns
Uma Thurman stalker back in jail
New York Times looks to WeightWatchers for Internet tips |
NZ to hold two minutes' silence for dead miners
Seoul shares end up 1.3 pct on autos, refiners
USOC eyes revival of Olympic TV network
Tiger Woods all a-Twitter at Sherwood |
S.Korea bonds rise as Nov inflation decelerates
China arrests hundreds of hackers, says situation grim |
Korea Hot Stocks -Vaccine issues up on Foot-Mouth disease fears
South Korea won stronger on brisk exports data
Seoul shares open up helped by U.S. data
S.Korea Nov mfg PMI ends 6-month fall
Argentina, China sign 'historic' farm trade deals
Surveys show China manufacturing up in November
Michael Jackson's dad files new wrongful death suit |
CBS revamps low-rated Early Show, ousts anchors |
Amy Poehler trades SNL skits for single character |
Uma Thurman stalker back in jail |
Judge issues rulings in estate's superhero battle |
Tron: Legacy may fall short at box office |
Bob Dylan lyrics seen fetching big money at auction |
Egypt opposition threatens to boycott runoff
Hamas would honor referendum on peace with Israel |
Egypt ruling party heads to sweeping win in vote
Israel torn on U.S. arming Arabs against Iran: WikiLeaks |
Iran hangs woman for murdering love rival
FCC to take up net neutrality at December meeting
U.S. calls for stronger OSCE support for Afghan war |
U.S. condemns Palestinian report on Western Wall
Bailout chief says EU serious about protecting euro
Euro recovers -- but fears of Portugal bailout
Egypt Islamists say quitting rigged election |
Taliban kidnap demining team in east Afghanistan
Afghanistan announces last set of election results |
Pakistan rejects fears over its nuclear weapons |
Iran says U.N. sanctions helped scientist's killers |
Al Qaeda finds in Yemen a society ripe for infiltration |
South Korea spy chief says more attacks likely
Iran biggest drug supplier for Indonesia
Former Soviet republic giving up nuclear materials
Indonesian presenter Susan divorces husband
Bangladesh protests hit businesses
Indonesia sees pre-marital sex active among teenagers
Bangladesh ex-PM's son faces money laundering charges
Bali gears up for influx of holiday visitors
FCC to take up net neutrality at December meeting |
Home alone: Life of a 6-year-old HIV-positive boy in China
FTC report to push stronger Web privacy but limited |
India ratifies key spending bill amid corruption row
AC/DC drummer hit with NZ cannabis conviction
Cyber Monday sales hit all-time high: comScore |
Chinese firms keen on Taiwan IT show: organisers
NZ housing confidence touch softer in Q3
Japan's Skymark to hire 470 former JAL staff
IMF likely to delay next Pakistan loan tranche-source
Vietnam urges 'strong measures' to stabilise forex, gold
Group urges Indonesia's Aceh to repeal sharia bylaws
India's Maruti car sales top 100,000 for fifth month
Pakistan's 3-month fiscal deficit at 1.6 pct of GDP
Eurozone, China fears weigh on Asian markets
Thailand hikes interest rate to 2.0 percent
Pakistan to announce results of T-bill acution on Wednesday
MTV launches Me, Myself and HIV film on AIDS day |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01